On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization

There’s propaganda and the truth. This is real description of what happened on Oct 7th and the aftermath. It’s not over yet and it seems it never will be. This book precedes the attack on Iran’s nuclear program but justifies it.

Well written account of the savage attack on October 7th and in depth analysis of the culture and mentality of Islamist groups in Middle East and all over western countries. A valid wake-up call.

As usual, the clear and measured voice of Douglas Murray resonates throughout this remarkable book. At times it is difficult to read, most especially as he meticulously recounts the horrors of October 7th and takes the reader to the site of the Nova Music Festival and the kibbutzim of the Gaza envelope, so cruelly turned into killing fields. There is a somber tone as he explains the madness of Jihad and the existential threat it poses to western democracy. Yet in the end, he is hopeful. He is convinced that the younger generation will choose democracy and sanity and that their peers who in their ignorance celebrate terrorism and the death of the west, will be the ones left behind.

A rigorously researched and deeply compelling book that challenges lazy media narratives with facts, on-the-ground interviews, actual Hamas charters and UN resolutions, and accurate historical context. On Democracies and Death Cults presents a sobering case for why Israel's struggle is not just local or regional, but that Israel is the front line of modern civilization. While some may resist its conclusions because it does not fit into their imagined / fantastical propaganda-fueled narrative, anyone who values reason, liberty, and living in modern democracies will find this essential reading. And I think might make them get out of their chair and do something before it is too late.

The best book I've read by Douglas Murray, and his other books are great. There was a sense of compassion and feeling in this book. As usual, his level of journalism is impeccable. Thank you Douglas for telling the truth, and for seeing the hope

The estimable Mr. Murray does an admirable job of chronicling the context in which the atrocities of Oct 7 took place, and then recounts the key events in its wake. He punctuates his reporting with a great many (perhaps, a few too many?) anecdotes and interviews from people on the front lines of it all, which gives previously unknown depth for readers who followed these events closely as they unfolded in real time. The most worthwhile aspect of this book is the author's ruminations on how/why such events could ever come to pass ... and importantly, what if any means there is to combat them in the future. All of that commentary is most welcome; I was actually even hoping for more of it.

This book is precisely what one should expect from journalists with a strong moral compass. It is well-researched and presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Since October 7th, I've listened to many interviews and podcasts featuring Douglas Murray, including the ones promoting this book. So I didn't have many "aha" moments while reading. Still, much new information brought home many of the points he has spent almost 600 days making, especially regarding the responses to these attacks by the 18-24 demographic in the West.It's also very refreshing to read a book written by someone who has been to the region and has spent time with both the Palestinians and Israelis, before the attacks on October 7th.If I had any criticism, it is that I wanted more; I wanted to hear some more about the people he met while researching for this book. Not the vague 2-page non-interview with Bibi Netanyahu, but the people he broke bread with in the Druze community, the members of the Christian Arab communities, the Palestinians from Hebron and Ramallah, the Israeli people on the left, center, and right, the soldiers and survivors, and the returned hostages and their families. He has access that many people do not have; it would be nice to hear more about the people embroiled in this horrific conflict, especially those who don't have a platform for their voices to be heard.

An honest evaluation of conflict in Israel that began on October 7, 2023 by a journalist who has been on the ground since the war began. Captivating and even hopeful. A great read.